Port Macquarie firefighters put their skills to the test against the state’s best when the Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Regional Firefighter Championship at Westport Park kicked off on Saturday, August 19.

Retained firefighters from more than 20 brigades from as far afield as Armidale, Bega, Dubbo, Goonellabah, Merrylands, Nowra and Ulladulla have converged on Port Macquarie to take part in the championships.

They are joined by crack Rural Fire Service crews from Kootingal, Tamworth and Wadalba, who are sure to make a strong showing on behalf of their volunteer colleagues over the two day event.

FRNSW Commissioner, Paul Baxter QSO wished all teams the best of luck in the third and final round of the 2017 Regional Firefighter Championships.

“Firefighters train for this event for many months and there is a strong competitive streak within the brigades to prove who is the top team,” he said.

“The championships are designed to be exciting and fun, but also have the more serious purpose of honing skills that are critical to our firefighters in real emergencies.”

The two-day competition will test the skills, professionalism and training of the state’s regional firefighters, with events simulating fire and rescue situations.

Port Macquarie won at home in 2013 and will be among the teams to beat.

The team came out of the gates kicking to take out second place in the first event of the championships.

Commissioner Baxter officially opened the championships on Saturday.

All events, community safety demonstrations and activities are being held at Westport Park from 8am Saturday to 2pm Sunday. Entry is free.

VIDEO: Patrick Levitzke and Emma Parke from Port Macquarie fire crew in a race to hit the target.